Exquisite dinner at Bleu Provence still celebrating Tom's birthday

I love returning to Bleu Provence in Naples time after time.  We go at least once every time we come down here.  The decor is real Provençal, the cuisine is consistantly superb, the service is attentive, informed, never overbearing or snobby.  The clientele is eclectic: we go casually, in slax, nice shirts, etc.  many people wear suits or jackets.  In season I've seen people at the bar in shorts, polo shirts and flip flops.  Nobody seems put off by anyone else's garb and everyone gets treated the same.

They have a very extensive and wide ranging wine list. Some folks might find it intimidating.  On my first visit I met

The sommelier /owner, Jacques Cariot, and asked him to pick out a $25 bottle for us.  He got very excited and said 

"I have so much in zeese price range, will you trust me to choose?"

Of course he found us something great and he gets a sparkle in his eye everytime we come in.  We give him an amount, tell him what we're eating and he goes and finds us something great.

Ronnie's onion soup.

Pan-grilled mussels with lemon, garlic and parsley. The chef, Jacques wife, pan sears her mussels to give them an almost smokey flavor.  Best I've ever had.

Tom had Scallops a la plancha on the half shell.  

Barb started with Arugula salad with smoked salmon, parmagiana, fennel and red onions.

Jacques, a most charming and kind man, poses with Ronnie.

Confit of duck with orange balsamic Demi-glaze reduction, sweet mashed potatoes, and fresh sautéed mango fries.

Organic chicken breast marinated in yogurt and cilantro, grilled a la planch, served with seated veggies and ginger butter sauce.

Tom's lamb chop with carrot flan, mashed potatoes and cocoa sauce.

My favorite entree is sweetbreads. They change up the preps each year.  This was the best yet:  

Roasted sweatbreads with an Amoretto veal reduction, gratin dauphinois, red onion purée. 

I asked Jacque for a red and white around $35 each.

Fruity, but dry white which thrilled us all, about $32.

An excellent Corbieres that they decanted and perfectly complemented all the meat dishes.

I bought a bottle of each from his store next to the restaurant for $11 and $16.

Desserts of Creme Broulee, Profiteroles, and Tarte Tatin were indeed delicious, but as usual, I forgot to take pictures by then.  

Here is a picture of Tom from his birthday party last week.  Handsome birthday boy.